Need for a systematized approach to naming radiology procedures

• Many different imaging modalities & vendors, varying names– “radiography,” “X-ray,” US,” “sonogram,” etc.

• Similar imaging protocols among institutions, but use different naming methods

• How to identify similar imaging devices and procedures? Need ontology of imaging procedures.

RadLex ontology of imaging devices and procedures

• A catalog of terms to describe the imaging devices, imaging procedures, and imaging sequences that are employed in radiology

• Procedures identified according to distinguishing characteristics – imaging device– anatomic region imaged– scanning parameters– agent administered

• Vendor-independent terms

ontology of imaging devices and procedures

Modality: CTAcquisition: axialAnatomy: chest

Contrast agent: NScanning params: routineDescription: rule out PE

“CT axial chest to rule out pulmonary embolism”

“4.7T 33-cm bore magnet operating

at 200 MHz”